Zhuge Liang
From WikiFAQs
Zhuge Liang was a Moderator on GameFAQs, appointed in the 7th batch in August 2005.
Zhuge Liang participated in the Interview with a Moderator series on April 22nd, 2006.
Zhuge resigned on August 11th, 2009, citing personal circumstance and general dissatisfaction with the site and how it was being operated by both the administrator (SBAllen) and lead moderators as his reasons for leaving. Since leaving he's made few appearances, but once to elaborate on why the site is going downhill quickly in a topic made by TRC on Hellhole.
On January 14th 2010, Zhuge Liang closed his account due to his belief that there was no hope left for the GameFAQs Message Boards.
Zhuge was one of few moderators that over the course of 4 years handled more than 100,000 marks.
Post Account Thoughts
I closed my account for a variety of reasons. To the moderators and SBAllen the cause is well-documented, however; the users of the site might be somewhat confused as to why. I'm going to clear that up with a short little section expressing my concerns and thoughts about where GameFAQs is, and where I feel it's headed. Also... why.
As someone has said in the ongoing topic on Hellhole discussing my departure, they thought my closure was a mixture of personal and just disdain. That's absolutely the reason. Personally, GameFAQs was the place I considered to be my "online home" as we like to sometimes call sites we spend long hours visiting and being a part of. I joined the site in 2000 during the beginning of a particularly rough patch of my life. Originally, I had no thoughts about being a moderator or being part of the staff that ran it. It was more of an escape for me - which slowly changed over the next several years. By 2004 I became interested in the idea of being part of the team that ran it simply because I enjoyed the site a lot, and I felt that I should give back to the site that did so much for me through rough times. In 2005, when I was chosen as a moderator I was really honored to be allowed part of the team. Today, I look at the site and recognize very little about it that I enjoy. I suppose my personal reason is in fact I couldn't stand to continue watching a place I once loved and enjoyed fall from grace. At least in my mind. That's not to say that GameFAQs is a bad place; it's just not for me, anymore.
On the flip side, I saw a lot of things during my tenure on the staff, particularly in the last six to twelve months that slowly, but steadily steered me away from the site. I don't like how things are handled by Allen. Now, in his defense, a lot of this is not his fault as I realize he's not the sole proprietor of the site, and he's really just an employee. I imagine that's a difficult position to be in, when it comes to things like this, and honestly I don't really have any seriously negative opinions of him - aside from maybe just the fact I think he's far too lenient with things he does indeed have control over. Moderator activity comes to mind; there's far too many moderators that contribute virtually nothing to the team who are allowed to stay. He also had a tendency to be far too lenient on moderators who were prolific contributors. While I understand that stance in the way that contributions are the heart and soul of the site - there has to be a line. And even so, if that's a problem I don't see why he continues to appoint strong contributors as moderators if he is that concerned about it. Those contributors who would actually pull their contributions if they were de-modded due to poor skill are quite childish in my opinion, and I personally feel that if that's how fickle their concern for the site is, they're really not that welcome, anyway. But GameFAQs is a business, and SBAllen isn't granted the luxury to put that sort of passion above all else. It's understandable, and unfortunate. Honestly that's part of the reason I feel the boards are dying.
The moderation which pushed me over the edge in regard to the site was pretty minor. It's not the fact that I was moderated that annoyed me to the point of saying "screw it" and close my account. It's the fact that I even, in the first place, had to make the post which was moderated in order to draw attention to something that shouldn't have required attention. I won't go into detail, but long story short - I was disappointed that nothing had changed and marks for trolling were not being reviewed in a timely fashion. This was not an uncommon thing for when I was around. When I was moderated for saying something snotty toward someone (it was fair) for trolling, it sort of irked me that my mark which was now almost 3 days old had not been reviewed. In retort, I made the comment that it was curious how my comment was deleted so quickly, yet another topic trolling me was not. Once again (and rightly... I guess) I was modded for trolling (linking to something... OMG it was just marked 3 days ago, but whatever). I contested and got a standard snippy moderator response. Thus I responded via the topic on Hellhole where I ultimately said I was going to close my account after being called a liar. That was the last straw as far as I was concerned. After doing that sort of work for the site to be shafted like that... I just wouldn't have it. Not because I was moderated ( I could have accepted both, really), but because of how I was treated in the appeal and in that topic.
I do not regret closing my account. There are plenty of other things associated with the account in my mind that are personal and I will not share that I could do well to be rid of in my mind. Should I ever decide to post on the site again, I'll make a new account. It's not like anything important has died. I wasn't even that liked by a lot of people - mods included. Anyway, I guess this is where I wish people the best - even those who are not at all sorry about my departure. C'est la vie.
Farewell - friends and foes alike.
Interview with Zhuge Liang
Note from Zhuge Liang: Firstly, before I answer any of these I'd like to apologize for my lack of prompt reply to any of these questions - it's been a hectic month for me. I've been very busy with college and most of my time has been preoccupied by it and everything else that's associated with college - homework, design projects, etc. Anyway, without farther delay, let's begin.
1. How do you pronounce your name?
Jhu-Geh LI - ahng.
2. Where did your username come from?
It's the name of the famed Three Kingdoms strategist. I got the name from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, believe it or not.
3. How did you get interested in the man behind your user name? Dynasty Warriors?
Good question. I first heard of him when I picked up a copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms III back in… gosh, 1993? Something like that, I guess. I got very interested in the game and its characters, and over the years as I read more about it, I learned to respect Liang more and more. I realize that some of the stuff in the books is made up and not real; however it's not the over embellished achievements that impress me about him - it's his unquestionable loyalty and fidelity, along with his greatest respect even for those who hated him.
4. Do you eat cheese while modding?
No.
5. Why is Sine the craziest poster at mod social?
If you talked to Sine very often you'd not have to even ask. Honestly I'm not sure why so many of the fellow mods are in such unanimous agreement about Sine being the craziest. But he's definitely one of the coolest mods to know. That I know, anyway.
6. Ninjas or Pirates?
Ninja-pirates! Bet you didn't see that one coming, huh
7. What would you do for a Klondike bar?
I would suspend you just for fun. >_> Love those things.
8. Do you play Pokemon? If so, which version?
Nope, sure don't.
9. Has the mod position been what you expected it to be? Any surprises?
It's more or less, for better or for worse exactly what I expected it to be - often am I a target of dislike and controversy with my rather vocal existence at MBH. I enjoy the position nonetheless, just remembering that it's the quieter mass of GameFAQs that appreciates and understands that I do what I do to better the boards as much as I can. Surprises? Some. But nothing earth shattering. I was a regular at MBH for several years, so I pretty much had a good feel for what I was getting into.
10. As a user, what's one feature or addition to GameFAQs that you'd like to see implemented in the future?
More stylesheets, and it looks like we will soon have that feature. I am working on a contribution of my own when it comes to that. As far as images or avatars. No. I don't want those. Ever.
11. How many times did you apply?
Many. Probably too many to remember. Six I believe. Everytime I've been able to apply, anyway. I only really got truly serious about it for the last two applications. Before that, I'm sure it would be widely accepted fact that I was not moderator-material. Too thin-skinned back then. I've grown to be far less sensitive to board matters; realizing that many people use them only as a place for discussion - not forging friendships.
12. What was your application like?
It was pretty short and to-the-point. I expressed my desire to be part of the team to help the site, etc etc. What made my last application special? Who knows. I suspect my role at MBH might have had something to do with it, but I don't know for sure and that's just speculation.
13. How much karma did you have when you were accepted?
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 2400.
14. Who is your favorite moderator?
I don't have one single favorite moderator. However, I talk most often to Deathjester, Demonoid Phenomenon, and SineNomine. They're all very cool people and it's a privilege to be able to work with them.
15. Do you enjoy modding?
Of course. If I didn't enjoy the job I would have most certainly resigned by now. I have no plans to retire anytime soon.
16. What's your opinion on peeling onions?
It's murder on the eyes.
17. Do you drink milk?
No, I really hate milk, in fact. I'll take water and tea anytime over milk.
18. What color shirt are you wearing right now?
Black. OMG emo, M I RITE? Heh.
19. Do you own a thong?
Uh, no. I don't. But I do wear boxers.
20. How does it feel being a newbie moderator? Isn't it awkward when you're around your superiors?
Not at all. I know several of the lead mods well enough, and I believe that they approve of my efforts just as much as the next mod. It was a bit different at first, but now that I've been around on the team for a while I don't feel odd at all around them.
21. Do you know anyone that would make a good future moderator?
Yes. There are a few people in particular that I feel might make excellent moderators. I suspect they all know who they are.
22. Worst & best thing about being a moderator?
Best: I enjoy the ability to clean up stuff as I notice it. Sure, I was the sort to mark something and walk away and wait, but it's still nice to be able to deal with things on the spot - and I usually have no reservations about doing so. (especially if it's at MBH).
Worst: People tend to label me as some sort of untouchable. I don't enjoy that. The only thing different about me from everyone else is I can delete messages on a message board. Wow. Yeah, that's gotta be a reason to hail me as someone important.
23. What's your favorite board to post on?
Message Board Help, mostly. Don't ask me why I enjoy MBH. I don't have a real good answer. I suppose I just enjoy the arguing for some strange reason. I find that debates and arguments builds character and knowledge.
24. How did you discover GameFAQs?
One of my best friends pointed me to it in 1999. I had just finished moving to a new place, I was bored, and decided to join. I first posted at Romance of the Three Kingdoms VI board and Final Fantasy VII. I then moved to RP/FF where I wrote fan fiction and participated in RPGs. I no longer write, but I have to say despite all of the unfond memories I have of those times it was still sort of enjoyable. Around 2003 I realized that I was with the wrong crowd at RPFF:S and decided to move along. I'm sure there's no lamenting about the choice I made - I came to MBH and learned to enjoy the debating. Eventually I became interested in becoming a moderator.
25. Do you enjoy Q & A sessions?
Sure, if I didn't I wouldn't be participating in this one. :P
26. What do you enjoy doing outside of GameFAQs?
There are a lot of things I enjoy outside of GameFAQs. I have a website of my own that I work with and enjoy keeping. It's certainly nothing like GameFAQs, but it's allowed me to learn programming in PHP. I enjoy video games, of course… but who doesn't that goes to GameFAQs? As far as sports go I enjoy hockey and baseball. I also enjoy what I'm attending college to become - I just don't so much around finals time. :)
27. What are your favorite boards on this site?
I enjoy going to MBH, RI, and the Summer Contest Board occasionally. I post more often on the first two boards, however. I also go to SEW from time to time, if you're a member of that private board.
28. A/S/L?
24/Male/Tennessee
29. Is there any downside to moderating, being a moderator? Things you never expected to deal with?
Sure, there are downsides to it - a lot of people hate you for doing your job. But it's nothing worse than I expected going into it. Having been a MBH regular for over two years I was already aware of the hatred some of the moderators get.
30. Are you a big enough man to admit Sima Yi was like a billion times better than Zhuge Liang?
Haha. Sima Yi ran from a wooden statue of me after I was dead - honestly, I think that speaks louder than anything else I could say. :)
31. Do you have stairs in your house?
Yes. But they're just the boring straight-up-to-the-top stairs. No fancy turns or splits halfway up.
32. Do you ever abuse your mod powers? If so, how?
No. Contrary to public belief, I'm sure. Just ask LUE what they think - I bet they'll give you another story.
33. What are your thoughts on the Fap Fap Train incident of Random Insanity?
They got what they had coming to them.
34. What is your favorite videogame of all time?
Oblivion - yep. I love that game. Before that it was either Morrowind, FFT, or FF7.
35. You are alone in a cold, cold night, you look out of the window and you see zombies invading the town and aliens are approaching Earth. In your possession you have a knife, a towel and a teddy bear. What do you do?
Fight back with the knife.
36. Pepsi or Coke?
Coke, if I have to choose. I tend to drink neither and stick to water and tea.
37. PSP or DS?
PSP.
38. Do you remember me trolling at the Dynasty Warriors 5 board?
Probably not - even if I did actually know who asked this question. Honestly I deal with so many people it's unlikely I'd remember you. I don't tend to remember people unless they're REALLY bad.
39. Which domestic car brand do you choose?
GM. But I tell you now that I'm a foreign car buff. And BMW is my favorite automobile in general.
40. CE or RI?
RI. CE just doesn't appeal to me at all, anymore.
41. PotD or RI?
RI, again.
42. LUE or RI?
RI, absolutely no question at all. I bet most of the LUEsers are just fine with that, too.
43. Do you play golf?
I'd like to, but I have a hell of a time connecting with the ball on a consistent basis. So no.
44. What's your favorite sport?
Hockey, actually. I enjoy baseball as well, but hockey is my favorite. Actually a rather strange thing considering I was born and raised in the southern US.
45. Food?
Mexican. The spicier the better.
46. TV show?
I hate watching TV unless it's news or a movie. Anymore news annoys me, too. I'm a conservative. No small wonder to why that would be. Let the record show that there is at least ONE conservative moderator among the ranks. :P
47. Movie?
Wow, eh... that's a tough one. Let me just say it's a toss-up between Titanic, Pearl Harbor, and Return of the Jedi. Love all three.
48. White bread or wheat?
Wheat.
49. Do you believe in love at first sight?
No, I don't. But who knows.
50. Favorite: Heart, square, triangle, circle, or star?
Circle. No end, no beginning.
51. What is the square root of love?
i - as in, imaginary number.
52. Did you ever want to be a pokemon master? If so what would be your starting pokemon?
Nope. That's one thing I just never cared about getting into.
53. 1+1=?
11. M I RITE?
54. Do you shoot lasers like Zhuge Liang does in the Dynasty Warriors series? If so, how many laser-related deaths have you caused with said power?
That's… that's classified. Yes.
55. Do you post often in locked topics?
Not often, but I've been known to do so at MBH.
56. Have you posted on a locked board? (One that regular users can see but not create a topic on?)
No, can't say I have.
57. Do you play Dynasty Warriors and Romance of the Three Kingdoms or just one of them? If both, which is your favorite?
Yep, I've played both. I only own DW:Empires, however. I enjoy them both, but Romance of the Three Kingdoms is definitely by favorite - I love strategy games, and I've played every single RoTK that's been released in the US. Probably more than I should have. I'd venture a guess that I've sunk well over 1000 hours playing games in the series over the years. I was a little disappointed with RTKX, however.
58. ASCII art. Yay/Nay, and why?
Nay. I wouldn't be sad to see it banned from GameFAQs altogether - simply because of the headaches that it causes from time to time with people going overboard with it.
59. What's the most entertaining response you have ever written to a contest?
"I am disinclined to acquiesce your request…. means 'no'." Yes, I admit it…. I'm Captain Barbossa in disguise.
60. Zelda or Samus??
Samus.
61. What is the status of your realm?
Shu would be doing better without that dreadful Liu Chan character running it.
62. Are you still friends with Liu Bei?
Of course. Can't say that Zhang Fei is particularly fond of me, though. Guan Yu told me all about his idea to toss a bomb into my house on Bei's third visit. I've been quite cautious of him ever since.
63. Was Huang Yueying a hottie?
I married her, didn't I?
64. Is Ail banned from posting at and/or modding posts from PotD?
Where do some of you come up with this stuff?
65. Are you secretly working with a CjayC subordinate to unify the three boards? (Board 8, PotD, RI)
Haha, this made me laugh. That's a good question. You shall see. Provided Wei Yan doesn’t mess everything up a second time.
66. How the hell can you fight with a fan?
I wouldn't know because the wise always win before they fight. :P
67. Did Lu Bu really have those ridiculous Hair ornaments?
Yes. I think he did it to compensate for his abysmal intelligence. :)
68. Which side of Xiahou Mao's story do you believe? Was Zhuge Liang really victorious against Xiahou Mao or did he, in fact, fear him?
Victorious, naturally.
69. I was planning on getting Romance of the Three Kingdoms but I heard it was pro-Shu biased, and because of this, some historical facts and events were changed and twisted. Can you recommend me a better source (I'd rather have a book then read online)?
Not really. It is somewhat pro-Shu. I've read only the abridged version of it. The writer of the story was somewhat biased toward Shu. However there is good reason for that, IMO, since Bei was the only one who really had any reasonable claim to the throne.
70. How many systems do you own?
In order of oldest to newest: Intellivision, NES, SNES, N64, PS1, PS2, GC.
71. How many hours a day do you go on this site?
Usually between 1 and 2.
72. Should GF limit the number of alternative accounts?
Let me just say that I think having a large number of GameFAQs accounts is a rather unhealthy practice. There's a whole world out there that's real that's great to be a part of. Sure, the Internet is a great place, but eh… no point in having so many accounts at a website, IMO.
73. Are we alone in the universe?
No. I don't believe that we are. If our species is the pinnacle of intelligence, that would make me sad. As a race (notice I say race - humankind, not sects of humankind), we are capable of great things - but the height of our achievements have always been, and probably always will be, limited by our tendency to try and destroy each other. It is our petty differences that will be our undoing flaw.
74. Please explain the significance of your username backwards.
Absolutely nothing at all.
75. How awesome is lulumarie at UT2K4?
1/10. :P
76. Will you answer these questions before Crystal Moon does?
I didn't think I would, but it appears I have. Wait. That's a lie.
77. If you could pick one overthrown dictator, alive or dead, to have lunch with, who would it be and why?
I'm really not sure about that one.
78. Why do these interviews' final questions always suck?
I don't know. Maybe it's because it's always the same, lame question. :P
